Sree Narayana Guru was treasure house of knowledge and wisdom. His greatness and purity is to be experienced by swimming through the ocean of knowledge revealed through his writings, lofty messages and personal life. His life, work and teachings have refreshing uniqueness. There was naturalness and sublime simplicity tinged with mystery in them, thus rendering them peculiarly interesting and profoundly instructive. No one had so clearly and successfully demonstrated in recent centuries the ideals and methods and the way of realizing them. The achievements of Guru cannot be explained in words. His spiritual attainments made him omnipotent.
According to Theosophical Society of India, Sree Narayana Guru was “Patanjali in yoga, Sankara in wisdom, Manu in the art of governance, Buddha in renunciation, Mohamed in strength of spirit and Christ in humility”.
Swamy Dharma Teerthan, a genius by himself, a contemporary and the disciple of Gurudev wrote in his book A Prophet of Peace: “We make no secret of the fact that we claim for Gurudev a place among the highest, among the suns and stars and not among the creatures of the earth; among the saviors of humanity and not among the kings and conquerors; among Buddha’s, the Christ’s and Mohammed’s, and not among mere philosophers and geniuses. The highest standards, therefore, are not too high to measure the value of his work. The widest sweep of our mental vision will not be too wide to comprehend the scope of his message. We have to approach the subject in terms of world problems and in the light of the evolution of centuries. To think of Gurudev merely as a reformer, as the religious leader of a community, as a great scholar and genius, or the founder of numerous institutions would be narrowing our own outlook and blurring our vision of the greater truth”. He further quoted. “It is impossible to find in history, an individual who has performed so many wonderful miracles and has become the object of worship for everyone, while alive.”
Deena Bandhu C.F.Andrews, a well known philosopher, after visiting Guru had said “I had a vision of God in human form; Sree Narayana Guru, who is renowned in the southern-most part of India is that Supreme Being”. Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, who had the opportunity to live with Gurudev had expressed, in many words, through his poems, that the Gurudev was none other than God. Shivalingadasa Swamigal, the first disciple of Gurudev, found Gurudev to be Shiva, the God.
Guru started his mission with the consecration of Shiva temple at Aruvipuram on a Shivaratri night on 12.03.1888. This was a small event without much of fanfare. But the aftermath of this small event sparked the social revolution in Kerala. It was an unprovoked challenge to the centuries old supremacy of priesthood. Throughout his life Guru executed his mission without confrontation and without creating any enemies. He never argued about anything. He never criticized anybody. He was a man of composure and action. He transformed the lunatic asylum to an abode of self respecting, forward looking and tolerant society with fraternal feelings smoothly and efficiently. He helped the people to save themselves from superstitious beliefs and to eradicate the self destroying rituals, customs and dogmas practiced by them out of ignorance and in the name of religion and tradition. He set an example to make the temples to be centers for purity and development. He was available for more than 40 years to execute his mission of transforming the society by instilling self respect and human dignity in the minds of the people. People of various talents from various fields of activity were attracted to Guru. Social reformers, freedom fighters, educationalists, thinkers, poets, writers, journalists, socially persecuted people and many more were attracted to Guru for guidance, light and inspiration. All of them actively participated and contributed to the revolution that followed.
Rabindranath Tagore visited Guru at his Ashram in Sivagiri on 22nd November 1922 and recorded there that “I have been touring different parts of the world. During these travels, I have had the fortune to come into contact with several saints and maharshis. But I have frankly to admit that I have never seen one who is spiritually greater than Swamy Narayana Guru of Malayalam- nay, a person who is on par with him in spiritual attainment. I am sure; I shall never forget that radiant face illuminated by the self effulgent light of divine glory and those majestic eyes fixing their gaze on far remote point in the distant horizon”.
Mahatma Gandhi after visiting Guru on 13th March 1925 at Varkala had said “I feel it as the greatest privilege in my life to have visited the beautiful State of Travancore and to have Darshan of venerable sage, Sree Narayana Guru. I had the fortune to stay one day in his holy Ashram. His Excellency the Regent Empress also spoke to me about the greatness of Guruswamy. I fervently hope that you would enforce his lofty ideals”. According to Guru, man’s duty is to take care of his life here and now. The life hereafter will take care of itself. It was in this spirit that he wanted his followers to work for the making of their present lives healthier and richer.
Ramana Maharshi after meeting Guru said that “Sree Narayana Guru was the Mahatma of high intellectual supremacy.”
M. Romain Rolland said in December 1928 that “The new religious manifestations in South India which are not negligible, such for eg: is the great Guru Sree Narayana whose beneficent spiritual activity has been exercising its influence during the past 40 years in the state of Travancore on millions of his followers(He passed away on 20th September 1928). His teaching permeated with the philosophy of Sankara shows evidence of striking difference of temperament compared with the mysticism of Bengal. He was one might say “a jnanin of action” a grand religious intellectual, who had a keen living sense of the people and of social necessities. He has contributed greatly to the elevation of the oppressed classes in south India and his work has been associated with that of Gandhi.”
Along with Gandhiji, E.V. Ramasami Naickar, C. Rajagopalachari, Mahadeva Desai, Devadas Gandhi etc., were also there. Gnadhiji had visited Sivagiri twice more. Great men like Swami Shraddhananda, Pandit Rishiram, Divan C. Rajagopalachari, Divan Watts, Diwan Mandat, M. Krishnan Nair, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Rao Bahadur P. Sundaram Pillai, etc., had also visited Guru, at different times and received his blessings. Mahakavi Ulloor S. Prameswara Ayyer, who used to visit the Guru often and received his blessings, had deep devotion and respect for the Guru. The eminent scholar Punnassery Neelakanta Sharma also was an admirer of the Guru, and had composed a number of poems in praise of the Gurudev.
Eminent poets have also written poems praising the Gurudev. The Guru had such a wonderful personality that anyone came to him, became his admirer or disciple.
Swami Chinmayananda said: can India rediscover her heart? Can religion, a philosopher of the Upanishads, help us in meeting the challenges of our nation? Can they rediscover our moral balance? All these burning questions are answered in living life by the Sivagiri ashram. My humble and devoted prostrations to Sree Narayana Gurudeva….may his blessings be upon all of us, Gurudeva was the personification of love as Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha.
The spiritual and material revolution that took place in Kerala at the instance of Sree Narayana Guru had great impact in the freedom movement that was taking place in the country. Guru wanted a total transformation. He wanted balanced growth for the society spiritually as well as materially. Indian constitution drafted few years after the demise of guru had his influence. The secularism, Education, especially women’s’ education, equality, prohibition etc were drawn from the teachings of the Guru. The Philosophy of Sree Narayana Guru is relevant without the barriers of place and time. It is relevant in the world as is relevant in India.
Guru never argued about anything. Guru never criticized anybody. Guru was a man of composure and action. While he was liberating the people from the age old ill-conceived traditions, he never said a word against the then so called custodians of tradition and vested interests. But he went on doing what was right and exhorted the people to follow.
Sree Narayana Guru had written many books. There are about 63 books now available and published. The list of books could be seen from the web site of Sree Narayana Mandira Samiti, Mumbai (the address being www.snms.in).
These books could be categorized into five. They are
(1) Devotional Songs
(2) Philosophical Books
(3) Books of Proclamations
(4) Translations and
(5) Prose.
Darsanamala(A garland of vision of the absolute), Atmopadesa-satakam(One hundred verses of self instruction), Advaita Dipika(Lamp of non-dual wisdom), Anukampa Dasakam(Ten verses of mercy), Arivu(Epistemology of Gnosis) Cit-Jada-Cintanam (Reverie on consciousness and matter), Pindanandi(Pre-natal Gratitude), Swanubhava-Giti(Experiential Rhapsody), Daivadasakam(Ten verses to God), Janani Navaratna Manjari (Nine-Jewelled Bouquet to Mother), Kundalini pattu The song of the kundalini power etc. are some of the popular books written by Guru. These works are incomparable for their haunting melody, sublime concepts and mystic experience.
Some of the important teachings of Sree Narayana Guru which have universal relevance are the following:
1. “One caste, one religion, one God for man”
2. “One in kind, one in faith, one in God is man, of one same womb, one same form, difference none there is at all”
3. “Whatever be the religion of a man, it is enough if it makes him virtuous”
4. “Ask not, say not, and think not caste”
5. “Acts that one performs for one’s own sake should also aim the good of others”
6. “Liquor is poison, make it not, sell it not, and drink it not”
7. “Gain freedom through education”
8. “Gain strength through organization”
9. “Gain prosperity through Industry”
Inspired by the teachings and messages of the Guru, hundreds of temples and other independent organizations came up and are functioning now in the state of Kerala and other places, such as Thalassery Jnanodaya Yogam, Kollam Sree Narayana Trust, Koorkancheri Sree Narayana Bhakta Paripalana Yogam, Moothakunnam HMDP Sabha, and a number of Clubs in Urban areas of all important towns, Mumbai Sree Narayana Mandira Samithi (Holy teeth, the only mortal remains, of Sree Narayana Guru -one wisdom tooth and four artificial teeth used by the Guru- received on 11th January 2004 are kept here)., Coimbatore Sree Narayana Mission, Bangalore Sree Narayana Mandira Samithi, Hyderabad S N Educational and Cultural Society, Kolkata Sree Narayana Seva Sangham, Delhi Sree Narayana Kendra. Thousands of branches of SNDP, Branches of Narayana Gurukulam functioning in over 16 countries like Fiji, Singapore, Belgium, and America. Organizations in the name of the Guru in cities like Singapore, London, Chicago and Colombo, Vyasashram in Andhra Pradesh (Yerpedu, near Tirupati), Suka Brahmashram near Sri Kalahasti in Andhra Pradesh, Sree Narayana Vidyalayam at Payyannur founded by the last disciple of the Guru Sri. Ananda Theerthar, Gayatri Ashram at Chalakudy founded by Geethananda Swamy, Sree Narayana Sevika Ashram at Paliathuruthu of North Paravooor Dist. Started by Swamini Amrutha Matha, Sree Narayana Shanti Mattom started by Brhmacharini N.K. Thankamma of Pathanamthitta, Mangala Bharati Ashram, Thottuvapadi, Perumbavoor, Sree Narayana Samskarika Samithi, an organization by Govt. servants among the devotees of the Guru etc.etc.
Sri Nataraja Guru, started Narayana Gurukulam In 1932 The Gurukulam offers a way of life in which all should live in unity immersed in eternal bliss, as all are just miniatures of the all pervading Universal Consciousness. Hindus, Christians, Muslims, atheists and agnostics live together in unity without any divisive feelings there. Guru Nityachaithanya Yati, and Muni Narayana Prasad nurtured and developed Gurukulam to a world renowned organization. The East West University of Brahma Vidya run by the Gurukulam is a great institution for comparative philosophical studies.“The Parliament of World Govt.” established by Garry David, a disciple of Nataraja Guru and a world citizen deserves special mention. The contributions of Nataraja Guru’s other disciples, viz. Mr. John Spiers, Swamy Ascharyacharya and Mangalananda Swamy are also remarkable. “Gurukulam”, spiritual magazine, is the manifesto of Narayana Gurukulam. Gurukulam runs a big publishing house, which publishes books on the studies, interpretations and criticisms of the Guru’s philosophy, his compositions, and other philosophical works. The Gurukulam Convention, held every year during Dec, 23 to 29th is a blessing to the seekers of Truth.
28.08.1855 (1031 Chingam 14, Chathayam) Born Vayalvaram house in Chempazhanty (This is the date accepted by Sivagiri Mutt).
1860 Initiation to Education by Kannakara Mootha Narayana Pillai.
1860 – 1877 Primary Education in a local school and at home from his father Madan Aasan, and uncle Krishnan Vaidyan – lonely meditations, wandering habits, acquires the name “Nanu Bhaktan”.
1877 – 1880 Higher Education at Kayamkulam, Puduppally, under Kummampalli Raman Pillai Aasan-Boarding and lodging at Varanappalli.
1880 - 1888 Roaming about in different parts of India. Friendship with Chattampi Swamy – Yoga training from Thykkad Ayyavu-Penance at Maruthvamala - Vision of God - Becomes Narayana Guru and emerges at Aruvippuram. The first disciple Sivalinga Dasa Swamy joins.
1888 - 1891 Installation of Shiva Lingam at Aruvippuram on Sivaratri night of (Kumbham)(12.03.1888) The first message to humanity in connection with this, “Jaathi bhedam……….” is declared-Starting of Aruvippuram Temple Association.
1891 – 1897 Disciples like Bhairavan Swamy, Nischalananda Swamy, Chaithanya Swamy, Kumaran Aasan, Dr. Palpu, C.V Kunju Raman, and Moolur Padmanabha Panikkar, Paravoor Kesavan Aasan etc. are accepted.
1897 Composition of Atmopadesa Shathakam.
1901 Declared as a sublime Religious Reformer through the Govt. Census Report. By this time, Guru’s name had spread from Kanyakumari to Mangalapuram.
07.01.1903 Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam established.
1904 The Govt. exempts the Guru from appearing in courts. Ayyankali visits the Guru. Founding of Sivagiri Mutt.
1905 The first All India Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition at Kollam on the third anniversary of SNDP.
1907 Felicitation by Theosophical Society at Kozhikkod-Indisposed and taking rest at Palakkadu
(13.02.1908) Consecration of Thalasseri Jagannadha Temple
(13.04.1910) Kozhikkod SreeKanteswaram Temple
30.04.1912 Sivagiri Sharada Mutt,
1912 Aluva Advaithashram. Ayyappan Pillai (Satya Vrathan), Sahodaran Ayyappan, T.K. Madhavan etc., become disciples.
(21.02.1913 Mangalapuram Gokarnanadha Temple
11.04.1916) Kannur Sundareswaram Temple.
1916 The Guru’s Shashti Poorthi (60 Years) celebrated all over Kerala, and in places like Madras, Bombay, Kolkata, Coimbatore and Madurai and in other nations like Singapore, Sree Lanka, Burma & Malaysia. Declaration that he has no caste. Meeting Ramana Maharshi at Thiru- annamalai.
1918 The first visit to Sree Lanka. The Guru wore saffron clothes for the first time. Founding of 42 night-schools in Sree Lanka and Vignanodayam Sabha in Colombo.
13.05.1921 Installation of lamp at Karamukku temple.
1921 Installation of plaque with Satyam, Dharmam, Daya, Shanti, written on it.
1921 Anti- liquor slogan as birthday message –
1921 Composing “Jati Nirnayam”. All Kerala Brotherhood Association meeting in Advaithashram-message supporting inter-caste marriages and inter-caste dining.
22.11. 1922 Viswakavi Ravindranath Tagore and C.F.Andrews visit the Guru at Sivagiri.
24.01.1924 Jan 24th The first All Religions’ Meet in Asia at Aluva Advaithashram.
1924 March Starting of Vaikkam Satyagraha.
1925 Thulam 15th Foundation laying of Brahmavidyalayam at Sivagiri.
March 12th Visit of Mahatma Gandhi, C. Rajagopalachari, E.V Ramasami Naickar.
Kanni 11th Appointment of Bodhananda Swami as legal successor-
Medam 20th Registration of the Guru’s will.
01.09.1926 Second visit to Ceylon.
12.03.1927 Installation of the Guru’s metal statue at Thalassery by Bodhananda Swamy.
14.06.1927 Installation of mirrors with Om Santhi at Kalavamkodam
1928 Jan 9th Founding of Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham
Jan 16th Granted permission to Sivagiri Pilgrimage-Guru is indisposed. Journey to Palakkadu, Madras, Trichur, Kochi.
May Rest at Sivagiri
May 20th Nataraja Guru was sent abroad for higher studies
July Swamy Dharma Theerthar receives Sanyasa deeksha
August Swamy Ananda Theerthar(last disdiple) receives Sanyasa deeksha.
20.09.1928 Thursday, at 3.30 pm Mahasamadhi at Vaidika Mattom in Sivagiri.